Newcastle United took another massive step towards promotion as Rafa Benitez’s tactical masterclass delivered a 3-1 victory over in-form Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium.

Despite the home side dominating possession, the Magpies scored twice in the first half as Matt Ritchie won and then converted an early penalty, before Daryl Murphy’s persistence brought a second goal.

The Terriers continued to press throughout the game but came up against a determined defence, though Jonjo Shelvey conceded a penalty with 19 minutes to go and Aaron Mooy halved the deficit.

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Yet, with David Wagner’s men chasing the game in injury-time, substitute goalkeeper Joel Coleman was made to pay for his determination to join in an attacking corner as his mistake allowed replacement Dwight Gayle to walk in his 21st goal of the season.

As United extended their unbeaten run to 10 games and increased their advantage over third to 11 points, here’s what NUFC Writer Chris Waugh learned from another magnificent evening for the Magpies...

1. Fortune finally favours United - but they’ve deserved some luck

It took just eight minutes for Newcastle to get a rather fortuitous decision - but it is one Benitez will believe they have deserved given some of the calls the Magpies have had go against them in recent weeks.

Shelvey controlled the ball on the edge of the area, Nakhi Wells thought he did so with his arm, but Ritchie picked it up and charged into the box.

The Magpies winger then appeared to trip over his own feet as Wells put pressure on him, and Ritchie went to ground.

Roger East pointed straight to the spot, and the opening goal came from Ritchie from a contentious penalty - just as it did at Brighton in midweek, albeit that was for the Seagulls and not United.

Given that Newcastle had only been awarded two spot-kicks all season before this - and the refereeing standards at this level have been questionable all term - United fans will not care.

Huddersfield fans near the Press box claimed East “couldn’t wait to give it”.

The Magpies’ second also had an element of luck too, with Terriers goalkeeper Danny Ward adamant that Murphy had taken the ball out of his hands, while the home fans believed the United forward to be offside.

But in the end it did not matter - and the home side’s penalty of their own appeared to be on the generous side as well.

Watch the chant that everyone will be singing this week....

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2. Murphy grasps his chance as Mitro is once again left out in the cold

After making a huge impact off the bench against Brighton and Hove Albion on Tuesday night, Murphy was rewarded with just his third league start for the Magpies.

Aleksandar Mitrovic, meanwhile, was dropped from the matchday squad altogether following his recent disappointing form and did not even travel down to West Yorkshire for this one.

Instead, top-scorer Gayle returned to the United bench - and 33-year-old Murphy proved he deserved his starting chance in West Yorkshire.

Given the thankless task of running the line up front by himself, at times the forward had no other Newcastle player within 30 yards of him.

Yet Murphy managed to bring his team-mates into play, disrupt the Huddersfield back four and hold up play admirably - as well as contributing some important defensive headers too.

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And, though he got a slice of luck for his goal, it was sheer endeavour which brought it.

Shelvey turned out wide on the right, spotted Murphy making great run, and the midfielder’s pinpoint accurate through-ball found the forward, who had beaten the offside trap.

Murphy’s first touch was poor though, and Ward tried to slide out and gather it.

But the greasy surface meant he could not collect it with both hands, Murphy kicked it out from the Ward’s chest, then slotted a tremendous finish under the goalkeeper - who was replaced at the interval with a thigh injury - and into the net.

Huddersfield fans threw their clappers on to the pitch in frustration, while Murphy celebrated his fourth United strike wildly in front of the visiting Magpies fans.

It was a tireless performance from the big man, and Benitez’s decision to sign a 33-year-old has once again been vindicated with another priceless goal.

Newcastle United away to Huddersfield Town, Daryl Murphy scores and celebrates the second (Image: The Chronicle)

3. A real captain’s display

Jamaal Lascelles’ form has been extremely up and down for Newcastle this season - but this was arguably the young skipper’s most impressive display in black and white to date.

Ciaran Clark was also fantastic alongside Lascelles at the heart of United’s defence, yet it is the Magpies captain who deserves even greater praise given the maturity he displayed throughout this performance.

The 23-year-old marshalled Wells extremely well throughout, refusing to allow the Huddersfield forward’s pace to get the better of him.

And from set-pieces, Lascelles powered headed clearance after headed clearance out of the United box.

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Benitez’s gameplan worked to a tee; with United sitting deep, soaking up Huddersfield’s high press, then countering and playing long from set-pieces while Murphy was on for an hour, before Gayle’s pace was then utilised on the break as the Magpies switched to a 4-4-2 formation once they conceded.

Newcastle soaked up the pressure extremely well, even if Shelvey did concede a penalty with 19 minutes to go, which Mooy converted.

The possession stats were wildly in the Terriers’ favour - they have 76 per cent of the ball - but Benitez had started the mind games before the match, asking Huddersfield whether they could deal with the new-found expectation levels upon their shoulders.

Put simply, they couldn’t.

The incredible post-game stats

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5. Do Newcastle have one foot back in the Premier League?

The third goal will have brought a wry smile to the faces of the travelling Toon fans - and all those watching at home.

Substitute goalkeeper Coleman had come up for a corner, then rushed back when Newcastle cleared.

However, when he was halfway back to his goal, a long ball was floated towards him and, under pressure from Gayle, he misjudged a header.

That allowed the United striker to simply jog in behind him and walk in his 21st goal of the campaign during injury-time to secure the victory.

Brighton, Reading and Leeds United had been felled by the Terriers on their own patch in their three previous home games, but Newcastle stormed Wagner’s self-professed “fortress”.

Newcastle United away to Huddersfield Town, Matt Ritchie scores opening goal from the penalty spot and celebrates (Image: The Chronicle)

Brighton’s 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest earlier in the day gave the Magpies the opportunity to extend their lead at the top of the table to five points and also to move 11 clear of third-placed Huddersfield.

And they did so in disciplined fashion.

It was the Magpies who held their nerve and, with just 11 games to go and Newcastle now within 14 points of that magic 90 mark, surely United have one foot back in the Premier League already?